"Hello, I'm Jacob. Who are you?"

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They smiled. They had worn one of Their friendlier faces for this encounter. No grinning skulls and black robes. In this case, it was the look of a kindly older man with an easy smile and soft voice.

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"Well, I get called so many things that it's often hard to remember them. What do YOU think my name is?" Sometimes, with children this young, letting them answer questions helps with the transition. It's hard to be afraid when you're curious.

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Little Jacob put his chin his hand and looked at Them with the earnestness that only a child under ten can possess when confronted by such a question. Finally, he said "You look like that Mr. Rogers guy that my dad has me watch sometimes. He's really nice... I don't know his first name though. Should I call you Mr. Rogers?"

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They laughed. "His first name is Fred. You can absolutely call me Fred." It rhymed with one of Their colloquial names anyway.

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Jacob suddenly looked around as though confused. The two of them were outside of his school and he said "Wait, you're a stranger. I'm not supposed to talk to strangers. I should get my teacher."

'Fred' shook Their head "Well, you may not know me but I know all about you Jacob. You're 7 years old and like to be called Jake since your that's what your dad calls you. This morning, you had peanut butter crackers for breakfast although you said you ate your fruit, you actually traded it for more peanut butter crackers because they're your favorite (besides Cheetos but you can't have them at school)."

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Jacob almost protested but 'Fred' made a friendly shushing motion and continued.

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"No no. I'm not going to tell and you won't get in trouble. I'm glad you ate something you liked. I also know that your Mom and Dad have a password for anyone coming to get you that you may not know." 'Fred' winked. "It's 'pancake salad'."

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Jacob laughed. He was much more at ease now and had always giggled at his password. However, now he got a little curious.

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"Are you here to take me home?"

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'Fred' held up Their hands as though balancing two sides. "Kind of. I'm not taking you to the home you know but to a new home, somewhere new that you've never been."

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Jacob looked worried and started to tear up. "But Fred, I want to go to MY home! I miss my mom and dad!"

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'Fred' got down on one knee and placed a hand on the young boy's shoulder.

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"I know. But don't worry, you'll see them again and it won't even feel very long for you. But right now, you need to be brave for them because you get to start a new adventure before they do. They're going to need to hear all about it when you next see them. Can you be brave and just a little patient for them?"

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Jacob sniffled and nodded. Then he beamed. "My dad is going to be so jealous! He loves adventures so I bet he can't wait. I'll make sure to tell him all about it when I see him."

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'Fred' stood up and put out Their hand for Jacob to grab, which he did with only the tiniest hesitation.

"Are you coming with me, Fred?" Jacob asked, with a brave face barely concealing his unshed tears.

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'Fred' smiled down at Jacob as they started to walk out away from the school. "I'll be with you all the way to the door of where you're headed. Then, when you get inside, someone else will take over and show you around."

"Oh, so you're kind of like a school bus driver? And the teacher will come and get me at the door."

The being that had taken the name 'Fred' laughed with real amusement. They were older than the mountains and could still be surprised by children.

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"Yes! I'm exactly like a bus driver, except I don't drive a bus so we'll have to walk. Is that okay?"

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Jacob nodded excitedly.

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"Now, Jacob, are you ready to get going?"

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Jacob did a little dance of excited nervousness and said "Are you sure my mom and dad will know where I am?"

'Fred', who was incapable of lying, told the boy honestly "They may not know right away but when the time comes, I'll make sure that I come and get them for you. I promise."

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Jacob squeezed Their hand and beamed a smile that would have melted hearts. "Thanks."

He looked a little hesitant afterwards and 'Fred' caught that.

"Go on Jake, if you have any questions ask away."

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"Do you have any Cheetos?"

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'Fred' laughed an real laugh again as they walked. And after handing Jacob a bag of Cheetos, continued to laugh as the questions poured in.

"Why are we walking? Don't you have a car? Do you have any games on your phone? Why don't you have a phone? Do you know the real Mr. Rogers? Does this mean I don't need to take my spelling test?"

​

As the two walked away, motion slowly returned outside the school. Screams sounded as people realized that a car had tried to go around a boarding school bus and pinned a child under its tire. While the boy seemed to be alive for the moment, he was unresponsive and later died on the way to the hospital. The first responders that showed up would later say amongst themselves that they were glad the boy was unconscious because if he had been awake, he would have been in terrible pain and instead seemed as though he passed peacefully in his sleep.